Complaints from disgruntled parents about the Child Support Agency reached record levels last year, according to a report by an independent ombudsman.
Independent Case Examiner Jodi Berg revealed that some 3,440 complaints were referred to her in 2006/07, of which 1,520 were accepted for investigation - more than 12% up on the year before.
Her annual report covers the period when it was announced that the CSA would be scrapped and replaced by a new system which will encourage separated parents to come to private arrangements over support for their children.
Ms Berg said that complaints revolved mainly around delays, errors, poor communication and unsatisfactory enforcement action by the CSA.
Problems with the CSA's notorious computer software systems was "a constant theme", but in many cases dealing with complaints by hand simply made matters worse.
More than 80% of the complaints examined in detail by the ICE's office were fully or partially upheld - a similar proportion to previous years - said Ms Berg.
She added: "This year we have handled more complaint referrals from Child Support Agency clients than ever before.
"In previous reports, I have commented on problems faced by CSA clients, as a consequence of poor process and IT failures. Despite this, in my experience Agency staff want to do their best for people, although sometimes they are thwarted in these efforts by factors outside of their personal control."
Ms Berg said that the Government's decision to shut the Agency was "not surprising".
But she added: "It was perhaps somewhat ironic, as this year the Agency has begun to make real progress towards improving its service."
